Trump's Return: Hoteliers Eye Tax Cuts and Worker Visas

While no hotel-specific policy stands out on the Trump administration's agenda, some broader policy decisions on taxes and worker visas may especially impact hotels.

The hotel sector is particularly focused on the fate of key business tax provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Trump campaigned on extending provisions that are set to expire by year-end.

Significant money is at stake. In 2019, Marriott estimated its related tax benefit from the law was $194 million. Hilton calculated that the law had generated a $610 million benefit. 

At the time, CEO Christopher Nassetta said that the tax cuts would also help Hilton increase hotel occupancy because many companies would use some of their tax savings to travel more.

"Overall, we think [the changes in tax policy] will be good for the broader economy, lodging industry, and Hilton," Nassetta said in 2018.

Two representatives of the hotel industry told Skift this month that businesses could face a 33% tax increase if the provisions expire.

"When you're a business owner running a hotel, what you really want is certainty about your costs